Wednesday 24 November 2010

marked

I advanced into the graveyard
hang out behind granite markers,
wondered how something marks ones life,

I did not pander to my instincts
words invoked action-
I shuffled those around

things you wish you hadn't done.
so much time passed
before you knew the difference,

I looked back for flames
that I never believed in.

26 comments:

  1. It is remarkable how a life is remembered with a few letters in stone..I love how you portrayed this..Jae

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  2. "wondered how something marks one´s life"

    Indeed. Nicely written!

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  3. The flames of the hot place somehow burn into the subconscious, whether you believe or not! A lively piece of writing!

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  4. "I did not pander to my instincts" is so powerful. This poem is very thought provoking and well done.

    Thanks..........cj

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  5. Epitaphs repose on gravestones and those few words there on life can rekindle those dying embers when you stand pensive before it.

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  6. I looked back for flames
    that I never believed in

    Yet flames finally makes us believe in them..liked your poem as usual..Gautami..

    Do look at my take on these prompts ths week..

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  7. Powerful and effective. A keeper, I'd say!

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  8. Perhaps those unbelieved-in flames were in a cold ashpit! Interesting poem.

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  9. My father did not have a gravestone for quite a while after he died; it was distressing to me, as if he had never existed.

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  10. I love how the first line sets the tone for the entire piece. Heavy thoughts. Lots to ponder in these few lines.

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  11. Gautami,

    Read 5 poems now. All I will say it is a pleasure to read you, though little sad at times.

    Take care

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  12. I think I prefer flames to the stone. Flames mark illusion?

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  13. I wonder if we are all watching for those things we don't believe in.

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  14. concrete words gautami... there's nothing like a graveyard to put our lives into perspective...

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  15. Gautami,
    I love graveyards so much to think about while visiting one. Nice one.
    Pamela

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  16. Carefully thought out words. Especially like your shuffling of words that invoke action. And the time passing between doing and knowing the difference. And yes, I would look back as well. Thank you for this one, Gautami, it holds its own deep beauty,

    Elizabeth

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  17. An interesting batch of images, and thoughts, unsorted but lined up anyway in a neat row that works effectively toward the conclusion.

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  18. Very powerful poem, Guatami. I love wandering in a grave yard musing on the lives of people. Here in parts of Nevada, the "OLD WEST" we have markers that read things like: Hung for cattle wrestling... So many untold stories.

    http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/big-tent-poetry-the-gospel-according-to-st-john/

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  19. A provocative piece - superb final two lines....

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  20. Those last two lines are super. Marked was a good word for you.

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  21. things you wish you hadn't done.
    so much time passed
    before you knew the difference,

    I looked back for flames
    that I never believed in


    Wow. Amazing lines, Gautami.

    I visited a cemetery just last week where my grandparents are buried. Similar thoughts.

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  22. Very intriguing; and emotive piece.

    ......dhole

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  23. I often feel like a caveman regarding poetry. I appreciate it, but I feel kind of goofy when I try to comment meaningfully. But gosh, this stirred me.

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